I qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) in 2006.  Like many newly qualified OT’s I began my professional career in an acute hospital on rotation.  I have spent most of my career working in Neurology, supporting individuals with long term conditions to build independence and live meaningful lives. I have worked in hospitals, people’s homes, and community settings and have developed a deep understanding of the complexity of human nature and the impact of neurological injury, from the acute physical disability to the cognitive challenges and enduring social and mental health impacts. It was challenging work, but I loved it.

I was managing an increasingly large community caseload, and the pressure of trying to balance work with my family’s needs became overwhelming. After much reflection, I made the difficult decision to step away from the NHS. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was the right one for my family.

I began working privately and gradually started picking up more paediatric referrals, because of my experience in neurology I was able to transfer my knowledge and skills with supervision to this new caseload. 

Gymnastics has been a lifelong passion of mine. I’ve coached various disciplines and always understood the value of sport and specifically gymnastics beyond physical fitness.  It develops coordination, confidence, core strength, focus, social skills, and emotional resilience. For children with SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities), these benefits are particularly powerful. Yet ironically, these same children are often excluded from mainstream gymnastics settings. Gymnastics classes are typically busy, loud, fast-paced, and rigidly structured environments that can feel overwhelming and inaccessible for many neurodivergent children.

I saw an opportunity to make a difference.

I approached a local gymnastics club with the idea of running a dedicated session for children with SEND. I designed the class to be small, calm, flexible, and inclusive. It welcomed siblings, reduced sensory demands, and built in choice and movement variety. That first session was a revelation. The children explored the equipment with excitement and ease, supported by a setting that respected their individual needs. Parents stayed and chatted, relieved to be in a space where they didn’t have to explain or apologise. The positive feedback was immediate and heartfelt.

That experience confirmed what I already believed: there was a real need for inclusive, therapeutic movement sessions for SEND children—and I had the skills to offer them.

From there, I launched Jump Start Therapy CIC, a community interest company that brings together my occupational therapy expertise and my passion for gymnastics. Through Jump Start Therapy CIC, I now run gymnastics-based sessions for children with SEND and their siblings in both community venues and special schools. I currently support preschool and primary-aged children, creating a space that is playful, purposeful, and person-centred.

Although Jump Start gymnastics sessions may look like play, they are underpinned by clinical reasoning. My knowledge of sensory integration, motor development, and emotional regulation informs everything I do, from how I structure the sessions to the way I adapt activities in the moment. The goal is never about achieving a perfect cartwheel. It’s about enabling children to explore movement safely, build confidence, connect with others, and experience success in their own way in their own time.

What I’ve discovered is how transferable my skills from adult neuro rehab are. Understanding the nervous system, adapting environments, supporting emotional well-being, and enabling meaningful participation—these are core OT skills, and they translate into a therapeutic gymnastics context. The outcomes are still occupational: increased independence, social participation, improved regulation, and a stronger sense of self.

Jump Start Therapy CIC has grown from a single class to a growing programme, and I’m currently completing my Ayres Sensory Integration training to deepen my clinical knowledge. My vision is to continue expanding access to movement-based therapy that is neuro-affirmative, strengths-focused, and inclusive—not just for the child, but for the whole family.

Starting Jump Start Therapy CIC has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my professional life. It’s given me the chance to work in line with my values, support my own family, and create a safe space where SEND children can flourish. Every week, I see children take risks, try new things, laugh, connect, and grow in confidence—and that’s magic!

If you would like to know more please drop me an email: jumpstarttherapycic@gmail.com